hi all skl fans out there... im from Sydney, Australia and have an SLK350 with 7G on order that's going to be delivered in december. You know how much it is? AUD$122,000 (US$84,000).... thats crazy! upon checking US prices i found that americans only have to pay $45,000 which equates to about AUD$65,000. we live on different sides of the world but Australians have 2 pay double that of Americans for the same car!!!

the reason for this massive difference is the fact that the USA has a population more than 10 times that of Australia and thus a larger market which means considerably less cost on avg per vehicle to import to the US as opposed to here.

Nevertheless cant wait for the 5.4 sec machine (black with cream interior) to arrive!!!

 

We do feel fortunate...I know you have some great roads to drive and enjoyed two trips down under in 2000...hang in there Vipin

 

I guess we are lucky but I still complain about Mercedes prices here.

Having lived in Australia for a while, I bet differences in import duties and other taxes are the main reasons for the difference in price. I seem to remember something like 3% USA vs. 60% AU import duty for new cars. And then there are the other high Australian taxes, mostly hidden from the consumer. I guess you could buy a Holden but I just do not think they have anything in the same category.

 

You also have to factor how much you guys make over us. The Exchange is different

 

Hey vipin,

If it make you feel a little better, just be glad that you don't live in Singapore, where the SLK350 there costs $152 000 USD. At that price, it's actually cheaper to move to the US and get the car there :p .

 

well in regards 2 tax, aus only has a 5% import tariff currently ans this itself is going to be completely eliminated next year on all imported cars. while the consumer tax is only 10%.... we still have to pay so much more than most countries for the right to drive such beautiful machines

 

vipin were you given the opportunity to choose a manual?

congrats on the purchase as well...

 

hi Vipin,
I'm also from sydney and have a 350 on order, hopefully built in october with delivery in december, I am with Macarthur motor group out at cambelltown, which dealer are you with?
Regards.

 

well the 350 came standard with 7G and the dealer never mentioned manual at all. manual mercs are very very very rare over here. but i wouldnt want 2 shift gears in that car anyway... why when the latest

while im from the hills district and so placed an order with Marshalls Mercedes in parramatta. pretty good service and fantastic showroom

 

I guess I should of told you I'm in Melbourne and currently looking at purchasing one.

I tend to get abit bored with my current mb in day to day commuting being an auto.. so I'm interested in getting a manual.

however a few mb dealers here have rejected being able to get them in manual. i found one who would tho..

Also which are the standard headlights in aus? for the slk350..

 

The import duty in australia is currently 15% and will be reduced to 5% next year.

Cars over $54,000 also incur the 25% luxury car tax (LCT) AS WELL as the 10% Goods and Services tax (GST).

I noticed Worrells (In Melbourne Aus) has the 65 engined AMGs for list price $459,000, without the GST and LCT this would be 'only' $299,000...

The only vehicles that have 5% import duty at the moment (in Aus) are 4WD's.

Manufacturers also claim we pay a premium in Australia as each car must pass stringent Australian Design Rules, but then they would say that

 

Hey, why didn't I think of that (moving to the US)... For US$85,000, I got myself a C180 Kompressor in Singapore...